[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 30, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E63]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E63]]
 HONORING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE POLISH AMERICAN RADIO PROGRAM OF 
                              PHILADELPHIA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT A. BORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 30, 2001

  Mr. BORSKI. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize an important milestone 
honoring a valuable service to the Polish American community in 
Philadelphia, PA and its surrounding region. This year marks the 75th 
anniversary of the Polish American Radio Program of the Philadelphia 
area. This radio broadcast has served as an invaluable communication 
tool for the Polish American community. It serves as an important 
medium in which to share common views and ethnic pride.
  The first broadcast took place in April 1925 on Broad Street in 
Philadelphia on 860 AM Radio. Since that time there have been many 
daily and weekly hosts of the program who offered various types of 
entertainment to Polonia. Many in Philadelphia remember the long time 
daily radio program host Theodore Przybyla, who passed away in 1982 at 
the time martial law was imposed in Poland and the Solidarity Union was 
crushed.
  Following Mr. Przybyla's death, Michael Blichasz and Barbara Ilnicka 
worked tirelessly with radio management at WTEL 860 AM Radio to 
maintain the daily radio program. They gathered the support and hard 
work of the Polish religious community, the Polish American 
organizations, fraternal organizations, veterans groups, local 
businesses and individual supporters who recognized the valuable 
service provided to the Polish American community. After 72 years of 
programming at WTEL 860 AM, a programming change shifted broadcast of 
the Polish American Radio program to its current home on station WNWR 
1540 AM, where it proudly serves as the only Polish American broadcast 
program heard 7 days a week.
  The program can also be heard live over the Internet during regular 
broadcast times at www.WNWR.COM.
  Sustaining a radio program for 75 years is a wonderful achievement 
marked by strong dedication to purpose. Longtime hosts Michael Blichasz 
and Barbara Ilnicka, are to be commended for their expertise in hosting 
a radio program that fulfills its mission to inform, unite, entertain 
and present news and information about activities taking place in the 
Polish American community and in Poland.
  Mr. Speaker, as a Polish American, I too have felt personal pride in 
the struggles of Poles who have fought oppression and witnessed 
democracy return to their native land. For the thousands of Polish 
Americans who live in Philadelphia, this Polish American broadcast has 
been a wonderful resource to follow developments in the homeland and 
share in the ethnic pride of strong people who fought communism and 
won.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize the Polish American Radio 
Program of Philadelphia for its 75 years of outstanding service to the 
community.

                          ____________________